As expected, Edward Deep Red Gem, even riding a dragon, was no match for the Orichalcum Dragon Marta, let alone Liszt, a half-step Bulwark Knight.
Yet the real surprise was that the moment Edward saw Liszt charging toward him, he surrendered outright. "King Liszt, I am willing to submit to you!"
"Submit? I have no need for submission." Liszt refused with a cold expression.
"I am willing to submit to you as Gray Iron Duke Piero Graymouth Iron once did, leading the Deep Red Gem Family to pledge allegiance to the Flame Kingdom... I have already reached an agreement with Red Lord. It and I will part peacefully. As for whether Red Lord will become a dragon of the Flame Kingdom, that will require Your Majesty to speak with it personally."
As he spoke, he rose and left the Deep Red Gem Dragon's Dragon Tooth Platform.
The Deep Red Gem Dragon let out a long howl toward the sky, its voice filled with grief and fury. Who knew whether it was grieving and raging over its rider's craven behavior, over its own inability to preserve a dragon's pride, or both.
"A dragon and its dragon rider can separate normally?" A trace of curiosity appeared in Liszt's eyes.
"I do not know. But Your Majesty has successfully ridden dragons many times; surely you have your own methods... Even if the process leaves me grievously wounded or even kills me, it does not matter. I do not fear death. I merely hope to die with greater value. The Eagle Kingdom is destined to fall, and the Deep Red Gem Family needs to follow a new king."
"I cannot judge whether what you say is true or false, but this proposal is interesting. Then I accept." His strength gave Liszt genuine confidence; he